Great news for La Plata County! On Nov. 5, 2024, Durango School District 9-R Ballot Issue 4A passed by a large margin. This bond will bring much-needed improvements to our schools, enhancing facilities, safety, and learning environments for all students. Thank you to our community for your support and commitment to quality education. We’re excited to move forward together!
Bond Mission Statement
Supporting the 2024 Investing in Our Schools Bond means supporting the dreams of every student, with world-class learning spaces, forward-thinking solutions, and a commitment to the educators who make it all possible.
Bond priorities
The district is focusing on addressing aging facilities and the community's identified needs for learning outcomes. While the Long-Range Planning Committee identified nearly $250 million in needs, the district is using a phased approach to begin addressing these needs. The $150 million bond measure will increase taxes around $14 per month for a home valued at $500,000. Priorities include:
-
Complete facilities improvements to enhance learning outcomes: Electrical, mechanical, roofing, plumbing, and safety upgrades for nearly all buildings.
-
Build Three Springs Elementary School to serve an area of high growth better and replace the aging Florida Mesa Elementary campus.
-
Consolidate building space, reduce or eliminate several leased facilities, and invest in long-term solutions to reduce long-term costs.
-
Update mechanical and safety systems for some buildings.
-
Invest in a sustainability/energy project, including LED lighting, solar arrays, water waste reduction, and new insulation, to cut costs.
-
Build a SOIL Inspire Center to support Career Connected Learning, featuring a workshop, commercial and demonstration kitchen, and indoor growing facilities.
-
Replace classroom equipment and furniture that is over 20 years old to improve the learning environment for students and teachers.
-
To retain teachers and maintain educational excellence, the district is considering building employee housing, or partnering with others to create some priority options for staff, due to the significant rise in housing costs in Durango.
